No difference between Netanyahu, Hitler: Erdogan
3 Min Read
Turkish President Erdogan extends his invitation to scholars pressured for their pro-Palestinian stances to join Turkish universities.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to speak at a plenary session at the COP28 UN Climate Summit, on Friday, December. 1, 2023. (AP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted on Wednesday that there is "no distinction" between the ongoing actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the attacks on Gaza and the deeds of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
Speaking at a science awards ceremony in Ankara, Erdogan questioned the dissimilarities between Netanyahu and Hitler, emphasizing that any differentiation between the two remains elusive.
"How do you (Netanyahu) differ from Hitler? These (actions) will make us look for Hitler as well. Is there anything Netanyahu does that is less than Hitler? No."
Drawing parallels with the past, he noted that scholars worldwide, akin to those in Nazi Germany 80 years ago, who courageously condemn the oppression in Gaza, are currently facing pressures and threats, referring to instances of academics being dismissed or censured for supporting Palestinians in the US and elsewhere.
Read next: Gaza bloodshed to end only if Netanyahu ousted from power: Erdogan
Erdogan extended an invitation to scholars encountering such pressures, stating that Turkish universities welcome them in their pursuit of defending human dignity in Gaza.
The president said, "We realized that the institutions that talk big and spend big budgets are completely hollow when it comes to Israel and its atrocities," adding "From the UN Security Council to press organizations, from the EU to journalist groups, all institutions that serve as apostles of democracy have failed (over the Israeli attacks on Gaza)."
Not only international organizations but also the prestigious Western universities have failed on the Gaza issue, Erdogan added.
Netanyahu should be removed: Erdogan
On December 19, Erdogan implied that the bloodshed in Gaza would end solely on the condition that Netanyahu be removed from office.
"Those who do not listen to us or do not believe us when we say that Netanyahu will be out will see his exit. But his leaving office will not save him. We will persecute him legally … I hope that Israel's cabinet reshuffle will put an end to this bloodshed," Erdogan told reporters.
He also pledged to hold accountable all those responsible for the killing of civilians in Gaza. According to Gaza's health ministry, the Israeli genocidal campaign has resulted in thousands of Palestinian martyrs.
As the Israeli invading forces were committing a new round of war crimes at al-Shifa Hospital last month, Erdogan acknowledged that "Israel" was engaging in "state terrorism".
